From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lafia, has upheld the victory of the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, (who represents Umaisha/Ugya State constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 18 state assembly election.
The three member panel led by Justice Francisca Isong Nnang on Saturday in Lafia affirmed the victory of the Speaker in a judgement that lasted for two hours thirty minutes.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Umaisha/Ugya, Hon Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad and his party had challenged the Speaker’s victory at the tribunal.
The petitioner told the tribunal that the election was not in compliance to the electoral act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the exercise.
The judge however while delivering the judgement, said that the petitioners failed to proof the allegations of over voting as well as failed to proof beyond reasonable doubt over non compliance to electoral act during the election.
The Judge awarded N200,000 each in favour of first and second respondents, Balarabe Abdullahi and APC against the petitioner Abdullahi Sa’ad.
Speaking in an interview, Rt. Hon Balarabe- Abdullahi, dedicated his victory at the tribunal to God and the people of his constituency.
He called on his opponent and the opposition parties with their members to join him in building and developing Umaisha/ Ugya for the benefit of all.
“Today, I feel happy and delighted over the tribunal victory. I want to appreciate Almighty Allah for this victory. This is a victory for democracy.
“By God’s grace, I will continue to represent my people well and will bring speedy development to my constituency and the State at large,” he said.
Abdullahi also commended the panel of judges for delivering a well sounded and detailed judgement saying that the judiciary has further demonstrated to be the last hope of the common man
He appreciated his lawyers and that of APC for working tirelessly and presented their case convincingly.
The speaker assured the people of his constituency of good representation at the state legislature.
He, therefore called on the people of the constituency and the state at large to support Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.
It would be recalled that on March 18th, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly , Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, winner of Umaisha-Ugya state constituency in the Saturday’s polls.
He polled total number of 3,706, to defeat the candidate of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi who got 2,850 and Yahaya Sule of NNPP scored 784 votes.
